This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

1. 1. The Great Leveler

   Violence and the History of Inequality from the Stone Age to the Twenty-First Century

   

   This book delves into the historical patterns of inequality, arguing that significant reductions in inequality have only ever been brought about by cataclysmic events, which the author terms as the "Four Horsemen": war, revolution, state collapse, and plague. Through a comprehensive examination of societal structures from the Stone Age to the modern era, it presents a compelling case that peaceful reforms have rarely led to lasting decreases in inequality. The work challenges readers to confront the uncomfortable reality that significant improvements in equality have often been forged in the crucible of immense human suffering, thereby questioning the prospects for achieving future equality without such extreme catalysts.

   The 17010th Greatest Book of All Time

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2. 2. Escape From Rome

   The Failure of Empire and the Road to Prosperity

   

   The book explores the historical trajectory of the Roman Empire's collapse and its profound impact on the development of Europe and the modern world. It argues that the fall of Rome created a fragmented political landscape that fostered competition, innovation, and economic growth, ultimately leading to the rise of Western civilization. By examining the long-term consequences of Rome's disintegration, the book provides insights into how the absence of a dominant empire allowed for diverse political and social experiments, which contributed to the unique path of European development and the eventual emergence of the modern global order.